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Comfortech Product Showcase Award

Sep 01, 2011

At HVAC Comfortech 2010, 12 products were recognized as Product Showcase Award winners. Judges took into consideration the ease with which HVAC contractors can apply the technology, and the technical value of the product or service to the HVAC industry. This month, we're featuring the Building Service Institute’s Fix-Right Flat Rate Repair Price Book, the winner in the Training category. We're also featuring the 2011 winner in the Training category, the Service Roundtable's Service Nation Alliance. For additional information on any of the products listed here, circle the appropriate number(s) on the reader service card at the back of this issue or visit http://contractingbusiness.hotims.com.

Fix-Right Price Book is a Pricing Solution Flat rate repair pricing is the term retail residential HVAC contractors use to describe providing a fixed upfront price to the customer for a specific repair. The Fix-Right price book uses industry average repair tasking time standards as well as typical parts costs incurred for each repair task. The material and parts costs databases are updated continuously by our wholesale HVAC distributor partners.

The Building Service Institute also uses industry recommended parts price markups, which may be customized, based on contractors’ actual financial performance requirements.growmyhvac.com circle 145

Service Nation Alliance Unites Top Thinkers in HVAC Industry Designed by top contractors, the Service Nation Alliance is a coalition of select contractors dedicated to best practices, continuous improvement, and the creation of a marketplace for buying and selling HVAC companies. It will give contractors more attractive options for an exceptional return on their investment in their company when it’s time to execute an exit strategy. Or, it gives a seamless way to expand geographically across multiple locations, by acquisition. Other features include an International Leadership Workshop and Best Practice Benchmarking.circle 146

Regular Products

Introducing the New Work Windows Duct Attachment Collar Vac Systems International introduces its new Work Windows duct attachment collar. The Work Windows collar allows contractors to put cleaning tools (brushes, whips, etc.) into the ductwork without cutting an additional access opening.

To use the Work Windows Collar , first install the base over your access opening, twist lock the Work Windows Collar then onto the base. A flex hose can be attached to the Work Windows Collar before or after its been twist locked onto the base. Open the left side window to clean the ductwork to the right or open the right side window to clean the ductwork to the left. Insert cleaning tool (brushes, whips, etc.) through the window and begin cleaning.vacsysint.com circle 147

ICM Controls Introduces New Product Branding Campaign ICM Controls introduces its new product branding campaign, which features new, stylish color cases and housings, labels, and packaging that promotes the company's American-made roots. The new product branding campaign proudly promotes the superior quality and reliability of its American made products.

The new campaign is intended to reassure contractors and consumers that the controls being installed on their projects are of the highest quality and reliability.

The company's gas ignition and oil primary controls have already received the new branding upgrade. Other key product lines, including the highly popular line-voltage monitors, head pressure controls, and time delay relays, will receive the upgrade in the near future.icmcontrols.comcircle 148

According to company sources, Gear Keeper retractables feature many options that enhance safety and productivity including retractable wrist tethers, retractable shoulder strap tethers and retractable dual-axis rotation clamp-on belt clip tethers. For workers who use small hand tools (such as carpenters, electricians, scaffolding builders, window washers, etc.), Gear Keeper's new patented, Quick Connect tool tether fittings permit the user to safely change out a tool in seconds, saving valuable time on the job.

Built for heavy-duty industrial use with maximum breakage strength and durability, Gear Keeper retractable tethers are even designed to survive extended salt water and chlorine exposure. They are virtually jam-free with a patented flushing system that self clears sand and other debris from the retractor mechanism.gearkeeper.com circle 149

Luxaire® Adds New High-efficiency Air Handlers to LX and Climasure™ Series Three new air handlers from the Luxaire® brand of Johnson Controls are delivering improved efficiency to Luxaire LX and Climasure™ home comfort systems, company sources state.

Two new units in the LX Series of heating and cooling products — the MX modular blower and the AHE air handler — feature a standard high-efficiency brushless, X-13-style DC electronically commutated motor (ECM) that delivers efficiency gains. The third unit — the Climasure AHR air handler — uses a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor.

Lochinvar® Enhances Copper-Fin II® Product Line Among the major enhancements to the Copper-Fin II family of products, all models are now equipped with the exclusive Smart System™ control.

The Smart System interface features a two-line, 16 character LCD display that provides readouts of setup, system status and diagnostic data in words rather than codes. Equipped with a built-in cascading sequencer, Smart System allows for the installation and control of up to eight units. The Copper-Fin II offers balanced control with front end Loading capabilities when connected to Lochinvar’s Crest® Condensing Boiler.

Other standard Smart System control features include outdoor reset with sensor, domestic hot water prioritization, three pump control, night setback and password security.lochinvar.com circle 151